City human resources staff and the city’s benefits broker recommended on Oct. 16 that Chamblee move its 2026 medical, dental and vision coverage to UnitedHealthcare with modest plan‑design changes, saying the change would substantially reduce the city’s projected premium increase compared with renewing with the incumbent carrier.

Jennifer Burke, the city’s human resources director, told the council that the city solicited proposals from Aetna, Anthem, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare; Anthem and Aetna declined to quote because of the city’s recent loss ratios. Burke said Cigna’s renewal as‑is would have produced a roughly 31% increase for medical, though Cigna later offered a reduced proposal tied to plan changes (about 27.4%). UnitedHealthcare emerged with significantly lower renewal increases in staff comparisons: roughly 9.9% to 8.0% for comparable medical offerings, and a bundled medical/dental/vision proposal that produced a smaller overall increase than Cigna’s offers.

Burke and brokerage representatives said UnitedHealthcare offered a 19.9% rate cap that would not be voided for large claims, while Cigna’s 15% cap included a trigger that would be voided if the plan experienced claims over $300,000. Staff recommended a three‑year benefit strategy: bundle medical, dental and vision with UnitedHealthcare for 2026, implement modest plan design changes in year one (slight increases to some deductibles and copays and adjustments to out‑of‑pocket maximums), renew life and disability with The Hartford and continue FSA/HSA administration with the existing vendor.

Staff and broker representatives acknowledged tradeoffs. Switching carriers could create prescription “step therapy” or formulary differences that affect a small number of employees and medications; staff estimated fewer than 10 employees or medications would require continuity-of-care work or prior‑authorization handling. Council members pressed staff on member education, continuity-of-care procedures, and additional supports for older employees and those nearing Medicare eligibility. Burke said the city will provide targeted education, case management assistance for active cases, and special handling where prior authorizations or continuity-of-care protections apply.

Council will vote on the renewal on the formal agenda at the next meeting; staff said if approved, benefits elections would open in November and take effect Jan. 1, 2026.